Fit & Bendy Flexibility Training

Coaching a backbend is one of my favorites because just a few small changes in cuing can make such a difference. .ra already had a gorgeous backbend so these changes aren’t super dramatic but as you watch the video in the second slide you can see how learning to engage the muscles in the back of their body before pushing up into the backbend gave them more access to their hips and upper back.

It was such a pleasure getting to work with Devaiya and getting to know them and the rest of the amazing group of aerialists who came to for the retreat!

I have missed coaching circus skills and I’m excited to get back to it this year. Stay tuned for some fun opportunities to get bendy together!

Getting back to movement as we are recovering or managing an injury, illness, or other limitation can be super challenging. For those of us from a hard core fitness discipline like circus it requires a complete shift in mindset and approach.

The purpose of these workouts isn’t performance or aesthetics it’s supporting our body in a time of need. That means workouts that are lighter, often highly asymmetrical, and very targeted to our specific situation.

I’ve done this so many times that I’ve come to kinda love it because I know that it’s the absolute best of my various options. I’ve tried training like a maniac before my body was ready and I know exactly where that lands me—back in pain. But on the other hand doing nothing leads to atrophy and slows healing.

It’s a tightrope, and the only way to know it is to walk it.

Are there people out there interested in learning more about this? Comment or DM me. Learn from my past mistakes!

So yeah… this is what’s new.

I finished up the most beautiful year of touring the world with people I love and on the way home a freak accident (thank you Ava for telling me that I put the freak in freak accident) separated my lower leg from my upper leg in a total dislocation of the knee joint.

Serious injuries can bring up our feelings of helplessness and mortality and that can sink us if we let it. But this is far from my first rodeo andI’ve learned some things along the way.

I can’t control everything that happens to me. Nor do I believe that everything happens for a reason. But I do believe that we get to decide how we react to what the world throws us and the way we react determines so much about our lives and ourselves.

I acknowledge the privilege I have to be able to take time off. I have health insurance (for now) and a partner and community who have really stepped up. Holding onto positivity with no safety net is the unrealistic demand we make on so many these days and I’m deeply grateful for some net and desire it for all of us.

But hopelessness is also a luxury. Hopelessness makes us lie down when we need to walk. It whispers that doing the tiny little PT exercises that are available to me are pointless since I’m not able to even approximate one of my normal workouts.

So I fight to focus my mind on what I still have. I work to celebrate and explore what I can still do. I hold on to the idea that no matter how limited my body may be right now, something is still available and I’m going to do it.

I am optimistic for a full recovery over time with the proper mix of rest and rehab. Now that I’m home and I have time I’ll be documenting my thoughts and process and posting it, in case you’re interested.

Feel free to reach out if you are also wrestling with your body’s mortality in some way. What helps to keep you from sinking?

Im baaaack!!!

After a year and a half on the road im offering my first in person workshop in ages and its going to be amazing!

I’ll be co-teaching a retreat in Mexico with my co-conspirator of almost 20 years at

Rachel and I have worked together as performers and coaches for a combined nearly half a century! This retreat is designed to offer movement-based artists the tools they need for physical and creative longevity and sustainability.

My morning sessions will focus on physical practices to improve and sustain mobility, flexibility, and grace.

Rachel’s afternoon sessions will give you a wealth of practical and witchy ways to access your creativity and design acts that are meaningful and impactful.

While we both have the circus background this retreat is also great for other movement artists life dancers, burlesque performers, and pole artists.

This is a place to be both challenged and supported as a mover and creator!

January 11-17, 2026
Price varies depending on room and when you sign up
Located outside of Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Sign up LIB

Got questions just lmk!

I’m so excited to be back to coaching! Come play in Mexico with us!

Hey Angelinos! A friend and long time member of the Fit & Bendy community was killed by a hit and run driver on Sunset Sunday night. Tilly was a loving generous person who gave so much to this city, please share far a wide so we can find the driver who left her in the street and sped off.

Please help us find the driver of a dark colored G wagon Mercedes who was driving on Sunset in West Hollywood last Sunday evening

Rest in peace beautiful Tilly